North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer voiced significant concerns this Thursday regarding the influence of Elon Musk and his company, SpaceX, on U.S. national security. This statement followed an unexpected disruption in a satellite communications service used by Ukraine, which is developed by SpaceX.

“We’re putting too many eggs in one company’s basket when it comes to our space assets,” Cramer, a Republican member of the Armed Services Committee, expressed. His worries center on the power held by “one individual and one company over America's ability to protect the domain of space, which is a war-fighting domain.”

Cramer's remarks came ahead of a briefing with Air Force Secretary Troy Meink, focusing on Starshield — a military adaptation of SpaceX’s Starlink technology. He emphasized the need for Congress and the Pentagon to invest heavily in diversifying America’s satellite production and launch capabilities to prevent vendor lock-in and enhance competition.

The concerns about Musk's potential unilateral control over crucial military assets were amplified following a report by the Wall Street Journal. The report suggested that Musk might have ordered a slowdown in Starshield capabilities over areas affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Although Cramer remained uncertain about Musk's direct involvement, he noted the necessity of broader government oversight and clear operational control.

“I'm uncomfortable with the potential vendor lock in space, and I think the events of the last couple of weeks have demonstrated greater concern, even than just simply cost,” Cramer stated.

Addressing the complexities of the situation, Cramer mentioned ongoing discussions at various government levels, hinting at possible miscommunications about the extent of Ukraine's reliance on SpaceX's satellite technology. He stressed that the operation of such technologies must remain under the exclusive authority of the U.S. government.

“There are certain things the government has to do that can't be so dependent on others,” Cramer concluded. “And fighting wars is one of those things.”

This development comes amid broader scrutiny of Musk and promises by Democrats to launch investigations into his activities and influence over national security matters next year. The unfolding situation highlights the growing debate over the role of private companies in managing assets critical to national defense and international stability.